Switzerland's gambling watchdog, Gespa, has launched a review into FIFA's "Right-to-Buy" (RTB) tokens for the 2026 World Cup, assessing whether these non-fungible tokens (NFTs) fall under the country's strict gambling laws. The tokens grant holders a conditional right to purchase match tickets at face value if their selected team qualifies, with prices ranging from $299 to $999 based on team odds—underdogs are cheaper, while favorites like Brazil and Argentina command higher prices. Many tokens are already sold out, reflecting high demand.
FIFA migrated its NFT infrastructure from Algorand to Avalanche in May 2025, deploying a dedicated Avalanche Subnet to enhance scalability and handle traffic surges during global tournaments. Francesco Abbate, CEO of Modex and FIFA Collect, noted that Avalanche's EVM-compatible AvaCloud stack allows for better integration with wallets like MetaMask. The probe, first reported by Bloomberg, is in a fact-gathering phase, with Gespa director Manuel Richard confirming no allegations of wrongdoing or formal complaints.
FIFA's Web3 initiatives, powered by partner Modex, include the "FIFA Rivals" gaming app for trading NFT player cards. This move addresses extreme ticket demand, as seen in the 2022 Qatar World Cup where 3.4 million tickets were available against 23 million requests. The organization aims to create a more predictable fan experience through blockchain technology, aligning with trends like the NBA's Top Shot.
